Cons
Service not included (only OBi device-to-OBi device). Complicated set up and configuration. Unit not very stylish. e-911 not included, but can be added through a supported service.

Bottom Line

The Obi110 bridges your phones together, letting you make calls from a traditional phone handset, but using Google Voice, a mobile phone service, or other VoIP or telephone services. It's not truly plug-and-play ready, but the OBi can pay off if you take the time to configure it.

ServiceYour OBi110 is still not really ready to use, because there's no service for it yet. Without adding any other services, you can only call other OBi device owners.

To use the OBi110 more fully, you have to add a service, such as Google Voice, from the online dashboard, which takes little more than logging in with your Google account.

I set up my OBi with Google Voice. To be perfectly honest, Google Voice has its own set of confusing set-up and usage instructions, so see our guide for How to Get Started with Google Voice. However, once you have Google Voice and OBi110 paired up, dialing out or receiving calls is simple. People can call you on your Google Voice number, and your home phone attached to the OBi110 will ring. And you can pick up your phone and simply dial out.

You can add other services, too, such as a landline service or other VoIP provider, like Broadvoice, Callcentric, Sipgate, and voip.ms. Among all the services that you add, you can mark one as being primary for outbound calls—meaning that's the number that will appear on your mom's screen when you call her cell phone.

To use a smartphone with OBiTalk, you'll need the OBiON app (available for iOS and Android). Install the app, log in, and you can now make calls from your smartphone, through OBi, via Google Voice.

As I mentioned previously, setting up and configuring the OBi110 takes a good deal of time and effort, but it's largely a one-time deal. You can always tweak the system you set up at any time, but it's unlikely you'll ever have to set it up from scratch again.

PerformanceVoIP performance varies largely on your broadband connection, and not all users will experience the same results. In my time making calls with OBi110, I experienced good quality and no problems. If you're ever unsure of whether your OBi is properly connecting to OBi's servers, you can call the OBiTalk Echo Test server (dial **9 222 222 222). An automated voice will answer the call and inform you that everything you say will be immediately echoed back to you. Reaching the service lets you know you're connected, and hearing the echo gives you a little insight into the quality of your outgoing calls. I tried using the Echo Server a few times, including from my mobile phone using the OBiON app for iPhone, and had very clear results.

Should You Buy OBi110?If you are looking for a cheap way to make calls and want a lot of control over the configuration of services and phone numbers, the OBi110 is a good investment, particularly if you're fond of Google Voice. The free OBiON iPhone app worked great for me, too (I didn't test the Android app), letting me make Google Voice phone calls through the OBi system.

If you don't intend to connect a landline to the device, you might also investigate the OBi100, a slightly smaller device that costs a few bucks less (about $45, street) and is identical to the OBi110 but without the second telephone port (the phone port that runs to the handset is still there).

Jill Duffy is a writer and senior analyst, specializing in productivity apps and software, iOS, as well as apps and gadgets for health and fitness. She writes the weekly Get Organized column, with tips on...

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